The Spring Grove City Council approved a 25% increase in water rates and a 15% increase in sewer rates, effective October 1, 2021, at its August 17 meeting. The monthly sewer rate for all property classes 0-1,000 gallons will increase $1.57 per month. The residential water rate for 0-1,000 gallons per month will increase $2.44 per month.
City Clerk/Administrator Julie Amundson added Lyle Traylor, Four Seasons Maintenance, to the Consent Agenda. Mayor Scott Solberg and Council members Travis Torgerson, Trent Turner, Karen Folstad, and Chad Rohland approved the agenda.
Old business
No action was taken on the placement of two Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. Two locations being considered are by the Fest Building, and a third one would be included in the city’s alley project. The city does not know when they will receive the stations and there is not a deadline to have the stations installed. Each station will have two outlets, plus there is an app that will direct drivers to available charging stations installed by MiEnergy.
The city will have four new no-parking spaces on Main Street this week. The four parking spots to be removed include one parking spot east of the Kwik Trip entrance, one spot between 1st Ave. NW and the Kwik Trip entrance, the first parking spot on the west side of the entrance to the fire station in front of the mailboxes, and the first parking spot in front of the Trinity Center.
Courtney Bergey Swanson and Alex Herr, CEDA, informed the council that EDA did not receive any proposals for the Roverud housing development initiative. The consensus of the council was to leave the RFP on the website and hold off offering any incentives. If there is any interest from developers, EDA will look at the proposal; otherwise, the city will hold off offering any incentives until they can look at the feasibility of bundling projects to secure Federal funding.
New business
Lyle Traylor, Four Seasons Maintenance, requested to park a 60’ container in front of the Ballard House beginning August 23 for a minimum of two weeks and no longer than three weeks. Vehicles hauling supplies for the elevator project at the Heritage Center will be parked in front of Spring Grove Cinema. The city does not have any ordinances or policies preventing a container from being park on a city street. The city approved the request on the condition that there is appropriate signage, and that Four Seasons is in communication with the Cinema to ensure moviegoers have access to parking.
The council received a request from The Corner Bar to extend hazard pay to its essential workers. The mayor is all for extending hazard pay to the employees of the bar while making sure it is equitable for all the city’s essential workers, “We need to be thoughtful and that we tried.” Amundson was asked to come to the council next month with the number of city employees who are essential workers, whether they are full-time or part-time and what percent of their job classifies them as essential workers.
The request from the Syttende Mai committee to use the Fest Building for live entertainment and sell alcohol next year in case of inclement weather was tabled until the council gets answers to their questions regarding the city ordinance.
Are old vehicles parked in someone’s yard lawn art or junk? Does the city have an ordinance that addresses vehicles stored on one’s property? Should the city have an ordinance? Who is responsible, the owner of the property or the renter? What if it is something other than a vehicle, like a decorative outhouse? These were all questions that arose during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Mayor Solberg stated that he does not want to amend ordinances. The council asked Amundson to come back to next month’s meeting with a proposal to approve lawn art that includes 1) registration fee, 2) committee to judge whether it is art or not, 3) neighbors’ sign off, 4) administrative approval, 5) narrative explaining why it is important, and 6) artist’s rendering.
The council approved hiring Bruce Michels for the position of water/wastewater operator. His first day on the job is September 20. Michels will be starting at step 4 on the vity’s wage scale.
Announcements
There is still time to have your voice heard. Go to www.springgrovemn.com/spring-grove-2030?fbclid=IwAR2TnalvgrIF7CuYXhZ1iRrvqQQj0vOw6VOyk82DMPNHZ0iUQsIOdTnjojQ and take a short survey. Then, share your vision of Spring Grove in 10 years with the 2030 committee.
The Spring Grove pickleball court, located on the tennis courts by the pool, is ready for action. Check out the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SGpickleball, for times and dates of organized play. The game with a funny name is for all skill levels, even those who have never played pickleball.
Foreign films are starting up again in September at the Spring Grove City library.
The Spring Grove City Council’s next regular meeting is September 21, at 6 p.m. at the Spring Grove Communications building.